The tournament returned to England once more, with the big four once again playing off a pool stage before a final to declare the champions.

This time, despite the Australian dominance in 1968, Great Britain were regarded as favourites on home soil, with a powerful pack built around the likes of Mal Reilly and Cliff Watson.

Australia started impressively with a 47-11 demolition of New Zealand at Wigan's Central Park in front of a disappointing crowd of just under 10,000.

Attendances remained low throughout the tournament, with only 15,000 watching Great Britain's 11-4 victory over Australia in the next match, and fewer than 4,000 were there for France's narrow defeat at the hands of New Zealand.

Great Britain also squeaked past France 6-0, but defeated New Zealand comfortably in the next match 27-17 to ensure their place in the final.

Australia stumbled their way to meet them there on points difference after defeat to France in the remaining pool game.

The final was a predictably bruising occasion, with Australia's Billy Smith and Britain's Syd Hines red-carded but the Kangaroos pulled off a shock 12-7 victory, thanks to tries from John Cootes and Lionel Williamson.

Just over 18,000 watched the final at Headingley, a taste of things to come for the following tournament in 1972. Following the match, the World Cup trophy, donated by French Rugby League president Paul Barriere 16 years earlier went missing, only to turn up at a dump 20 years later.